Dungeon Lords
| Dungeon Lords | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Heuristic Park |
| Publisher(s) | DreamCatcher Interactive, FX Interactive, Crimson Cow, 1C, Typhoon Games[1] |
| Designer(s) | D.W. Bradley |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing video game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Distribution | 3 CDs |
- Not to be confused with the unrelated board game of the same name. That game was based on another video game named Dungeon Keeper.
Dungeon Lords is a real time fantasy role-playing video game developed by David W. Bradley of Heuristic Park, published by DreamCatcher Games and Typhoon Games, and released in 2005. A Xbox version was planned, but later it got cancelled. It includes quests, personal missions, skills and special abilities for customizing the character hero from a small set of races and class specializations. Dungeon Lords can be played either single-player stand alone, or in multi-player group sessions.
Many have criticized the game's initial release as a rushed project, released before it was truly finished. Some have gone so far as to say the game is still in the beta Development stage. One reviewer claimed that "Dungeon Lords marks a new low for how incomplete a game can be and still get released".[2] These criticisms stem from the numerous bugs contained in the 1.0 release, most notably buttons on screen and in the tutorials which do not work. According to the creators, the bug issues are being addressed and are planned to be resolved in a series of patches. Even with the release of the final patch for Dungeon Lords, version 1.4, many features remain missing and gameplay still suffers from numerous bugs. With the virtual demise of developer Heuristic Park and the publisher DreamCatcher Games being acquired and refocused by JoWood Productions any and all further support and development for Dungeon Lords has been terminated.
Dungeon Lords: The Orb and the Oracle, the sequel to Dungeon Lords, was in development with expected release in Q4, 2009. It has since been put on hold indefinitely due to market research results and game engine instability. Later the game was cancelled and replaced with Dungeon Lords MMXII.
Many gamers experienced extensive problems while playing the original release of the game, including quest items disappearing from inventories, NPCs getting stuck, key quests failing, doors that don't work, etc.[3]
Dungeon Lords gameplay features a combat system where weapon combos are controllable by mouse movements, comparable to the combat systems found in Die by the Sword and Mount & Blade.
Remastered version
In April 2012, Nordic Games announced that it joined forces with writer D.W. Bradley and Heuristic Park to release a completely remastered version of Dungeon Lords in 2012 titled Dungeon Lords MMXII.[4] Dungeon Lords MMXII has been given an official release date of September 25, 2012.[5] This remastered edition features:
- Co-op story mode for up to 8 players and full single-player game experience
- 50–70 hours
- Completely reworked intuitive Graphic User Interface
- New Multiplayer Features
- Dual Switchable Interface Modes (supports Hot-Key action play and Point&Click play)
- Updated full hardware Screen Resolution support (16:10, 16:9, 1920x1080 etc.)
- New quick-start Hero character creation system
- All new Magic system including new Magic Spells
- New Hero Classes, new and improved Class Skills, and new unique Class action abilities
- New Character Advancement and Level Up with auto-learn Magic system
- All new Quest and Log System
- New Mini Map and Full Map Screens
- Full World and Character Re-mastering for enhanced gameplay experience
- New dynamic Treasure & Equipment generation, featuring Uncommon, Rare & Epic items
- New Inventory and Loot Bag System
- Improved Graphic & Visual Enhancements
- Newly Re-Mastered Audio sounds and speech [5]
Version History
- 1.0 - May 4, 2005. Initial Release.
- 1.1 - May 13, 2005. Includes bugfixes, gameplay tweaks, and a few added features.
- 1.2 - May 22, 2005. Later German Release.
- 1.3 - June 29, 2005. More bugfixes, adds automap feature.
- 1.4 - February 2, 2006. Additional bugfixes, adds customizable characters.
- 1.5 - Large number of additional quests, NPCs, and a new character class. Extant areas were 'fleshed out', with more rooms, furniture, and treasure. Released separately as a Collector's Edition; there is no upgrade path from 1.4.
References
- ↑ Heuristic Park.com
- ↑ Pseudo Nim. "Game Over Online Magazine - Dungeon Lords". Game-over.net. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ Denice, Cook (2005-04-20). "CGW Review". Cgw.1up.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ "Nordic Games GmbH | Fresh From Austria | Press Releases | Nordic Games joins forces with RPG mastermind D.W. Bradley and Heuristic Park". Nordicgames.at. 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Nordic Games GmbH | Fresh From Austria | Product | Dungeon Lords MMXII". Nordicgames.at. 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2013-07-16.